Another view: Charlotte's Web Medical Access Act needs a miracle

If you recall the classic children’s tale, the compassionate and literate spider spun words (“some pig,” “terrific”) into her web to save Wilbur’s bacon.

Maybe Rep. Perry can find a real-life Charlotte who can weave a web to persuade his colleagues to approve legislation that would remove federal barriers to medical marijuana.

“Pass this bill!”

“Be compassionate!”

“What if your child suffered from seizures?” -- though that one might not fit in a web.

Why all this pessimism?

Because Gov.Track.us, a nonpartisan government transparency site, recently said Rep. Perry’s bill (as well as a companion bill in the Senate) has about a 2 percent chance of passage -- based on such factors as bipartisan cosponsorship.

Two percent?

That’s discouraging.

Rep. Perry’s bill is named after Charlotte Figi, a little girl from Colorado who suffers from a rare form of epilepsy. Her parents say she has received relief from a medical marijuana concoction called “Charlotte’s Web.” The “web” is low in THC and high in cannabidiol -- which doesn’t actually get you high.

Rep. Perry’s bill would allow use of cannabidiol in a limited number of medical applications.

Some have argued the bill is too limited. But at least it would be a step in the right direction.

Unless or until the Charlotte’s Web bill passes, it will be up to states to determine whether CBD can be used for medical purposes -- and many have done so.

Unfortunately, that doesn’t include Pennsylvania yet — and perhaps not in the immediate future.

The state Senate passed a bill sponsored by Sen. Mike Folmer, R-parts of northeastern York County, that would allow CBD to be used to treat a limited number of ailments.

But now it’s in the House. And medical marijuana proponents were dismayed to learn it’s been assigned to the House Health Committee.

According to a recent PA Independent story, the chairman of that committee, Rep. Matt Baker, R-Tioga County, strongly opposes medical marijuana.

Legislative committee systems exist for a reason — to give bills full and fair hearings.

But too often committees are where good ideas go to die — both in Washington and in Harrisburg.

One or a small handful of naysayers should not be allowed to stand in the way of providing relief to those whose illnesses have not responded to traditional medicine.

Charlotte, where are you when these suffering souls need your persuasive powers?